25 most important Rams for 2018

[12intheBox]

We should talk about the 25 most important members of ROD.

24 of you fabulous sumbitches can join me at the podium to bask in our glory.

 

[Memento]

We should talk about the 25 most important members of ROD.

24 of you fabulous sumbitches can join me at the podium to bask in our glory.

Sorry, but I'm not taking second place.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20...es-rams-brandin-cooks-roster-ranking-players/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 13: WR Brandin Cooks
By: Cameron DaSilva

For the second time in less than a year, the Los Angeles Rams made a blockbuster trade to acquire a big-name wide receiver. First, it was Sammy Watkins last August, sending a second-rounder and E.J. Gaines to the Bills in return.

Then in April, the Rams dealt a first-rounder for Brandin Cooks, effectively replacing the since-departed Watkins. They were both risky trades, surrendering valuable draft capital, but the Rams felt really good about the Cooks deal. So much so that they extended him for five years before seeing him play a snap in a Rams uniform.

He’ll hold the title of WR1 in Los Angeles, making him the 13th-most important player for 2018.

WR Brandin Cooks
2017 stats (with NE): 65 receptions, 1,082 yards, 7 TDs on 114 targets

There are only two wide receivers who have had at least 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in each of the past three years: Antonio Brown and Cooks. That’s it. Needless to say, that’s some elite company for the Oregon State product to keep.

He’s not the talent that Brown is, nor is he expected to produce the same numbers as the six-time Pro Bowler, but Cooks has great potential in the Rams’ offense. He can take the top off of a defense, take a screen pass 30 yards or run a 10-yard dig for a first down. His skill set matches what the Rams want in a wide receiver far better than Watkins’ did.

What’s working against Cooks and his true value to the team is the number of pass catchers the Rams have. He’ll sit atop the wide receiver depth chart, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll see the most targets or have the most yards. With Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Todd Gurley all in the mix, Cooks has some serious competition for targets.

That, of course, is a good thing for Los Angeles. It prevents teams from keying in on one receiver, making it a point to stop him. However, by the same token, Cooks is unlikely to see 114-plus targets like he’s seen in each of the past three years. That number is going to be much closer to 90 than it is 120 in 2018.

Jared Goff only looked Sammy Watkins’ way 70 times last season in 15 games, which ranked fourth on the team. Cooks should be targeted more than that, but there are a lot of passes to go around in L.A.

If not for the Rams’ other pass catchers, Cooks would be much higher on this list.

 

[nighttrain]

close to 5000 yds passing for Goff this season, 4500 at least, book it
train

 

[RamFan503]

He can take the top off of a defense, take a screen pass 30 yards or run a 10-yard dig for a first down. His skill set matches what the Rams want in a wide receiver far better than Watkins’ did.

Finally. Someone who recognizes he’s more than a deep threat.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/08/29/nfl-rams-john-sullivan-roster-most-important-players/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 12: C John Sullivan
By: Cameron DaSilva

The offensive line looks like a particularly strong unit, paving the way for Todd Gurley and protecting Jared Goff. The anchor in the middle of the line is John Sullivan, holding down the center position for the second straight season in L.A.

The veteran helped Goff immensely last year, and he’ll continue to do so in 2018 after receiving a contract extension. He’s the Rams’ 12th-most important player for the upcoming season.

C John Sullivan
2017 stats: 15 games, 1 sack allowed, 2 penalties against, 68.1 overall PFF grade (16th among centers)

Sullivan may not have graded out particularly well on Pro Football Focus’ scale, but he still ranked in the top half of all starters. He did more than just improve the offensive line as the centerpiece, he provided veteran leadership for Goff and the rest of the young roster.

He made calls at the line of scrimmage, assisted with protection assignments and was someone Goff really leaned on in the locker room and on the field. That went somewhat unnoticed by the general public, but it certainly helped the growth of Goff as a quarterback.

At 33 years old, Sullivan is one of the older linemen in the league. That does show at times when it comes to blocks downfield and holding up against elite defensive linemen, but he still has the ability to get to the second level and open things up for Gurley. He allowed just one sack and was penalized twice last season, doing a great job in his first season with the Rams.

Los Angeles extended him for two more seasons, but given his age and past injury history, he can’t necessarily be counted on to finish out that contract. If the Rams were to lose him for any amount of time, it would definitely hurt. Continuity is key on the offensive line, as we saw last season, but the Rams do have capable players behind him.

Austin Blythe has good versatility, while Brian Allen was drafted to be his heir. Sullivan won’t be around for five-plus years, but he’s an important part of the offensive line for the time being, particularly for Goff.

 

[Legatron4]

I realize it’s also a countdown, but there’s not many things I hate more then a list that comes out in parts.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20...rodger-saffold-roster-most-important-players/

25 most important Rams for 2018 - No. 11: LG Rodger Saffold
By: Andrew Ortenberg

The 11th-most important player for the Rams is left guard Rodger Saffold, who will return as one of the centerpieces of one of the league’s best offensive lines.

Rodger Saffold
2017 stats: 15 games, 2 penalties against, 80.4 overall PFF grade (No. 5 among guards)

One of the longest-tenured Rams on the team, Saffold entered the league as a second-round pick back in 2010. Injuries plagued him earlier on in his career, and after he missed most of the 2015 campaign with a shoulder injury, many thought he was on the roster bubble.

He bounced back with solid 2016 and 2017 seasons and has re-established himself as a top interior lineman, earning the fifth-highest grade of any guard in Pro Football Focus’ 2017 rankings.

Saffold’s play in 2017 was a large part of the offensive line’s turnaround from being one of the league’s worst units to one of its best. A free agent after this season, Saffold could be next up in the long line of Rams to be recently extended. His $6 million and change annual salary is a bargain compared to how he played last year, and he’ll be looking to cash in on his next contract.

The Rams did just recently pay out big money to right tackle Rob Havenstein, and selected a pair of interior lineman in this year’s draft, so it’s possible the Rams decide Saffold is too pricey and let him walk after this season.

Saffold will take on an extra layer of importance the first two games, when his fellow starting guard Jamon Brown is suspended. Still only 30, Saffold is right in the middle of his prime and should be able to continue to play at this high of a level for at least several more years.

Saffold will continue to open up holes for Todd Gurley and will be an integral part of the Rams’ success in 2018. He’ll be looking to build on last year’s second-team All-Pro selection, although it would be hard for him to play much better.

 

[Mackeyser]

close to 5000 yds passing for Goff this season, 4500 at least, book it
train

I think it’ll be around 4K due to the balance in this offense and the production of Gurley as well as our D. Typically QBs throw for more than 4500 yards when they are in a lot of shootouts.

With our D, I really don’t foresee Goff needing to throw a lot in the 4th quarter.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20...rams-michael-brockers-most-important-players/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 10: DE Michael Brockers
By: Cameron DaSilva

The Los Angeles Rams added Ndamukong Suh to the defensive line this offseason, slotting him between Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers up front. The duo of Donald and Brockers was great in its own right, but Suh takes it to another level.

While Brockers may not be the best player on the team or the most well-known, he’s incredibly valuable and one of the most underrated guys in the league. With just 10 days left until the Rams’ season opener, we’re pegging Brockers as the 10th-most important Rams player for 2018.

DE Michael Brockers
2017 stats: 16 games, 55 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 PDef, 75.9 overall PFF grade (No. 36 among interior defenders)

Brockers did everything he could for the better of the team last season. With a hole at defensive end as the team transitioned to a 3-4 scheme, Brockers happily moved outside from nose tackle.

That’s not a particularly easy transition to make, but it was one the Rams needed in order to shore up a crucial position in a 3-4 defense. Needless to say, he made the switch seamlessly, posting arguably his best season in the NFL.

Although he’ll never be a double-digit sack player and probably won’t be a first-team All-Pro in his career, Brockers’ length on the edge and his stout play against the run is vital to the Rams’ success on defense. He has the strength to hold up against guards and the pass-rush moves to beat tackles, which is why he’s such a good fit at defensive end.

(Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)

His versatility and experience at nose tackle also give Wade Phillips options up front. He can push Brockers inside, line Donald up at defensive end and Suh at 3-technique, all of which are positions each player can handle.

Opposing offensive lines will have their hands full every week facing this trio, and it’s definitely not as daunting without Brockers in the mix.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/01/nfl-rams-roster-mark-barron-most-important-players/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 9: LB Mark Barron
By: Cameron DaSilva

The Los Angeles Rams began their rebuild last year by adding a handful of players on both sides of the ball as they transitioned to the Sean McVay-Wade Phillips regime. The changeover continued this offseason, but one of the few players who remained on defense was Mark Barron – once believed to be a cut or trade candidate.

He didn’t have a great season in 2017 and was part of the team’s struggles against the run, but he’s an important part of the defense for a number of reasons. In fact, he’s the ninth-most important player for the Rams in 2018.

LB Mark Barron
2017 stats: 14 games, 86 tackles, 1 sack, 4 PDef, 3 INT, 61.8 overall PFF grade (No. 48 among LBs)

Barron isn’t the best linebacker in the league, nor will he ever be. He’s a converted safety who was forced to transition from the secondary to 4-3 outside linebacker to 3-4 inside ‘backer. By no means are those easy switches to make.

However, Barron has done it without making a peep. In 2018, he’ll become a leader on defense with Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin and Alec Ogletree gone. That makes him increasingly important, even though he won’t be calling out the defensive signals.

What drives up his value even further are the question marks at linebacker for the Rams. Cory Littleton isn’t a sure bet to start all 16 games, Ramik Wilson is just an average player and Micah Kiser probably isn’t ready to be a first-teamer.

Barron battled injuries all of last season and couldn’t stay healthy, which in turn affected his offseason in 2018. He barely practiced in training camp and didn’t see a single preseason snap, and when the season begins, he’s likely to get veteran days off like Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan.

That raises some questions about his durability for the upcoming season. He simply has to stay healthy because the Rams can’t exactly afford to lose yet another starting linebacker. If he can improve against the run and keep up his playmaking ability against the pass, the Rams will be in good shape.

And with such a stout defensive line, he should be able to run free in the second level, wrapping up ball carriers. Ultimately it’ll come down to his health and play against the run, but losing him is something the Rams can’t exactly afford right now.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/02/nfl-rams-marcus-peters-roster-most-important-players/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 8: CB Marcus Peters
By: Cameron DaSilva

With Trumaine Johnson on the verge of leaving and Kayvon Webster suffering a torn Achilles in December, the Los Angeles Rams knew they had to remake their cornerback unit. They did exactly that by getting cheaper players who are also more talented.

Marcus Peters was the first as the Rams acquired him in a trade with the Chiefs, not even surrendering a first-round pick to do so. He’ll step in as one of the Rams’ starting cornerbacks opposite Aqib Talib, giving Los Angeles one of the best secondaries in the NFL.

With eight days until the Rams’ season opener, we ranked him as the team’s eighth-most important player of 2018.

CB Marcus Peters
2017 stats: 14 games, 46 tackles, 5 INT, 9 PDef, 4 FF, 81.3 PFF overall grade (No. 15 CB)

When locked in and focused, Peters is truly one of the best cornerbacks in the game. He leads the NFL with 19 interceptions the past three years, scoring two touchdowns while also forcing six fumbles. He was picked on by quarterbacks early in his career, but teams have quickly learned not to challenge a player with his ball skills.

Although he does come down with a lot of interceptions, he also gives up some big plays. That’s part of his game as he takes chances on passes he believes he can pick and turn into potential scores for the defense.

Wade Phillips compared him to the casino, saying he knows the odds when he gambles and wins more often than not. The Rams won’t have a true No. 1 cornerback this season with Talib manning the other side, but Peters has the talent to be a lockdown cover man.

As long as he remains focused on the field and doesn’t have any outbursts like he did with the Chiefs last season, Peters will come down with at least four interceptions and a dozen or so pass deflections.

Quarterbacks will have no choice but to challenge Peters in coverage with Talib locking down the other side of the field, which makes this a game of “pick your poison” for opposing passers. And with a contract extension likely coming in the next year or so, Peters has all the motivation he needs to play at a high level.

 

[Ram65]

C John Sullivan
2017 stats: 15 games, 1 sack allowed, 2 penalties against, 68.1 overall PFF grade (16th among centers)

That grade seems low. Sully was a big part of the turnaround. McVay will keep him as fresh as possible. Rams get get some big leads and let him sit later in games.

 

[CGI_Ram]

(Barron)even though he won’t be calling out the defensive signals.

Who will be calling the Defense? Did I read Littleton somewhere?

 

[RamFan503]

Who will be calling the Defense? Did I read Littleton somewhere?

That is what I understand as well. Big job for him but the talk is good coming out of camp.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/03/nfl-rams-aqib-talib-roster-most-important-players/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 7: CB Aqib Talib
By: Cameron DaSilva

The NFL is a passing league built around finding a quarterback, protecting him and stopping the other team’s. The Los Angeles Rams have accomplished the first two steps and they’re well on their way to checking off the third.

With an abundance of talent on defense, the Rams are on track to have one of the best units in the NFL. Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib will roam the secondary, likely picking off at least seven or eight passes between them.

With Peters and Talib both being No. 1 cornerbacks, quarterbacks will have to pick their poison. It’s difficult to pick who’s better or more important between the two, which is why we’ve ranked them back-to-back on this list.

Peters was No. 8, and with seven days until the season opener, Talib comes in at No. 7.

CB Aqib Talib
2017 stats: 15 games, 31 tackles, 7 PDef, 1 INT, 1 FF, 81.4 PFF grade (No. 14 CB)

It’s really a toss-up when it comes to choosing which player is more crucial to the success of the Rams, but Talib has the slight edge. While he’s 32 years old and would appear to be past his prime, he’s still playing at an elite level.

He was Pro Football Focus’ No. 14 cornerback last season, locking down one side of the field for the Broncos. He’ll once again have an outstanding running mate this season in Peters after playing alongside Chris Harris Jr. the past few years, which helps take pressure off of him.

Where Talib has the razor-thin edge over Peters in the “importance” category is with his leadership. As a veteran with a decade of NFL experience under his belt, Talib can be a guy who brings together the locker room and helps the cohesiveness of the defense. With the rest of the secondary being so young, Talib can be the vocal leader in the backend.

That’s an underrated aspect of this new-look secondary that doesn’t necessarily have a headliner the way Arizona does with Patrick Peterson or the Chiefs did with Peters. There are no easy targets at safety or cornerback.

As long as he continues to play the way he has the past few years, Talib could be in line for another Pro Bowl selection. He’s a big part of this defense and the team as a whole.

 

[bubbaramfan]

I worry about Rams starting CB's. Talib is a step slower and Peters likes to gamble. Both are going to give up big plays. I just hope its not too often and they make up for it by getting picks or force a fumble.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/04/nfl-rams-lamarcus-joyner-players-most-important-roster/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 6: S Lamarcus Joyner
By: Cameron DaSilva

When Wade Phillips came aboard as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator last year, he made a handful of changes. In addition to switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme, he deployed more man coverage and kicked Michael Brockers outside from nose tackles to defensive end.

In addition to those adjustments, Phillips also moved Lamarcus Joyner from nickel corner to safety with Nickell Robey-Coleman taking over the slot. Not only did Robey-Coleman play extremely well in 2017, but Joyner was an absolute stud at safety.

Entering this season, he’s one of the Rams’ most important players – No. 6, to be exact.

S Lamarcus Joyner
2017 stats: 12 games, 49 tackles, 9 PDef, 3 INT (1 TD), 1 FF, 90.9 PFF grade (No. 2 safety)

Much was made about Joyner’s displeasure with having to play nickel cornerback instead of his tradition position of safety a few years ago, voicing his opinion very publicly on “Hard Knocks.” Jeff Fisher refused to play him at his preferred position, leading to some understandable frustration.

Joyner proved Phillips right last season, earning the second-best overall grade from Pro Football Focus of any safety in the NFL. He didn’t make the Pro Bowl or the All-Pro team, but he was undoubtedly one of the best safeties in the league last season.

Unfortunately, he was forced to miss a few games due to injury, while also sitting out Week 17 as the Rams rested their starters. Had he played an entire 16-game schedule, he likely would’ve had 60-plus tackles, a dozen pass breakups and potentially five interceptions.

His play goes much further than the stat sheet, too. He can play the slot, deep in centerfield and in two-high looks, using his speed and range to cover a great deal of ground. That’s extremely valuable, especially when you have the ball skills and tackling ability that Joyner does.

He’s vital to the success of the Rams in 2018, patrolling the deep part of the field as the last line of defense. He has to stay healthy and prove he can hold up to the grind of a 16-game season after missing six games in the past two years.

With not much proven depth behind him, Joyner staying on the field is key in 2018.

 

[Prime Time]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/05/nfl-rams-ndamukong-suh-players-most-important-roster/

25 most important Rams for 2018 – No. 5: NT Ndamukong Suh
By: Cameron DaSilva

The Los Angeles Rams made so many moves this offseason that it’s difficult to pick just one as the best. Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib give the secondary an entirely new look, Brandin Cooks is an upgrade over Sammy Watkins and Ndamukong Suh pairs with Aaron Donald to give the Rams an elite duo up front.

While each will have a significant impact in 2018, Suh might be the biggest addition of the year. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, he’s still a dominant player on the interior and changes the face of the Rams’ defensive line.

With five days left until the Rams’ season opener, Suh checks in as the team’s fifth-most important player for 2018.

NT Ndamukong Suh
2017 stats: 16 games, 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 PDef, 2 FF, 85.6 PFF grade (No. 14 interior defender)

Suh will enter somewhat of uncharted territory this season. In addition to having an elite talent next to him at defensive tackle, Suh will take on a new position with the Rams. He’s moving inside from 3-technique to nose tackle, lining up over the center on the majority of his reps.

It’s not a wildly difficult transition to make, but it is a position Suh hasn’t played in the NFL. How he performs smack dab in the middle of the defensive line will have big implications on the rest of the unit, which is why he’s so important to the Rams this season.

If he doesn’t meet expectations, the Rams will have spent $14 million on a player who’s a shell of himself. Granted, no one expects that to happen, but at the age of 31, you never know how a player is going to decline.

When at his best, Suh is a game-wrecker. He gives guards and centers fits, not only with his strength, but with his pass-rush arsenal. Before Donald came around, he was the best interior lineman in the game.

He’s much better against the run than he gets credit for, too. As the Rams’ nose tackle, he’ll be asked to clog up running lanes through the middle and make life easier for Mark Barron, Cory Littleton and the rest of the linebackers.

The combination of Suh and Donald up front is going to work wonders for the Rams. It’s possible they both reach double-digit sacks while still opening things up for the edge rushers, which is what makes them so valuable.

Los Angeles has a lot of questions to answer on the edge, but Donald and Suh should take pressure off of players at those spots.

 

[12intheBox]

Way back in the way back - there was team Bradford and team Suh. I liked to think of myself as one of the founding fathers of team Suh - may not have been true, but its my post so piss off.

I was vocal - younger than I am now, full of piss and vinegar. I saw a guy who could change a defense - who could change a team - a guy who could take us to the promised land. That young, handsome, hung, intelligent man is still inside me - and its time he finally got to see his dream of Suh winning a Super Bowl with the Rams become a reality.